My Christmas Break

Now that I am a teacher I think I can say that as a teacher I looked forward to Christmas break just as much if not more than my students did.  I found myself making a count down on the board and anxiously crossing off the days.  Once Christmas break did come it flew by all too quickly.  However, I thoroughly enjoyed my break and wished it would have lasted a little bit longer.

 This Christmas was very different from all others.  Christmas morning my older sister wasn't there to unwrap gifts with. However, she and her husband were able to come over in the afternoon to celebrate with us.  

This truly was an amazing Christmas.  Although part of me was sad to wake Christmas morning and just feel like it wasn't right without my big sister.  As I sat at the dinner table and looked around at my family I could not help but smile.  Nicole next to Jack..the two of them are perfect..that is just where she is supposed to be.  Seeing the two of them together fills me with a joy I can't explain.  I love Nicole and I love my new brother as well.  As my eyes shifted over to my mother  I couldn't help but silently thank God.  Just a few months before I heard the word cancer come across the phone.  Now, I was home with my cancer free mom- God is so good.  He never ceases to amazing me with His goodness. 

Having two photographers in our family now, we could not possibly let a holiday go by without a family picture.  I couldn't help but post the first two "oops" pictures. Apparently we didn't realize Jack  was taking pictures. 

A week after Christmas, Lauren and I were able to go over to Jack and Nicole's house for a couple of days.  We had so much fun just sitting around like little girls giggling and having fun.  Although, at one point I did have to stop and wonder: when did this happen?  When did we suddenly grow up?  I looked at my big sister who is now married to an amazing man and she herself is quite a wonderful homemaker.  I looked at my little sister who is in her second year of college and dating a nice young man. Time flies so quickly. We sat around reminiscing on old times and games we used to play laughing and sharing our memories with one another.  It didn't need to be said but I believe we all were thinking we have the best sisters ever!

Those two days went by to quickly, and once again before I knew it it was time to say good bye.  Although I hate leaving her and living four hours away I know distance won't change a thing we will always be there for each other. 

One evening before church I was able to go over to friend of mine's house.  I had the honor of being in Carla's wedding shortly before I moved to Ohio.  It was so nice to be able to catch up with her once again. While I was home I was also able to go for lunch with my friend Christina, who was visiting from Californian   The three of us started in kindergarten together and last May the three of us graduated from college together.  It is amazing to see how God is working in each of our lives in different ways.

ON the last day of my break, Kemisha flew back to the states from Grenada.  Although, I'm sure she hated to leave all her friends and family back in Grenada,  I was terribly excited to spend a day with my best friend before I had to head back to Ohio.  Although we didn't have much time together we always manage to fill the time we have with good laughs and wonderful times.

That same day Lauren's boyfriend flew back to college a little early and surprised her. My family along with Kemisha and Matt went to Chili's for a wonderful dinner.  

The four of us had a great time sitting around and playing games.

So thankful for these two.  They both have the ability to make me laugh like no one else. 

Although my Christmas break was a whole two weeks long.  It just didn't seem long enough.  However, part of me was also ready to head back to my church, friends, and students in Ohio.

But...I already put a countdown up on the board until Easter :)

Friend of Photographers

This past Saturday, my sisters and I took a train to the beautiful city of Chicago.  Chicago is a great town for shopping, sight seeing, and eating.  However, the purpose of this trip was something entirely different.  In fact I would have never made that trip to Chicago if I was not friends with photographers.     

Last Saturday, a couple of photographers met up to have a photography workshop.  I was invited along for the sole purpose of carrying my sister's many belongings and to be the subject of young and eager photographers. 

   Lucky me to be the friend of photographers: 

                      Nicole                            Jack

Alyssa

I had a lot of fun watching the photographers.  It really was quite interesting to watch how involved one can actually get in  taking a simple picture.   Jack practically did the splits each time he shot a photo.  And I noticed for the first time that when Nicole takes her photos her left eye winks each time she pushes the button.  Photographers really are interesting people.

 Lauren and I enjoyed posing

 Jack's little sister Emily also came along for the fun

Alyssa's little sister, Alexis came along as well.

 After a couple of hours of taking photos, we headed to the Grand Lux for lunch.  This was my delicious meal of Chicken Parmesan.

After lunch we headed to the John Hancock building.  The photographers were able to get several excellent photos at the top.  I was content to get a good picture on my cell phone for a new background.

 We continued to spend the rest of the day taking more pictures, editing, and laughing.  I had a great time in Chicago with my sisters and new friends.  On the way back home, I sat contently, happy to   finally let my cheeks rest from smiling so much.  I then let out a sigh and thought I am a lucky girl to be friends with photographers. 

PS: none of the above photos were actually taken by me :) 

Old Friends are the Best Friends

Sorry, I haven't written in a while. I have been preoccupied with school work. Last week was mid terms! I can't believe how fast this school year is going by. But amidst my very busy schedule, I was able to find time to go out with some old friends. The very girls that I went to school, church, and Awanas with all my life. However, one of my best friends that I grew up with moved to Michigan our junior year. Another one of those friends began to be home schooled her junior year. Another friend moved to Iowa... Last Sunday afternoon we were all able to get together. All of us girls, who had been together since we were in kindergarten, some of these girls walked across the platform form with me in 2008 on our Graduation Day...

We had such a great time reminiscing over our Elementary school days together. Wow, what a great time we had together. We discussed our many teachers and student teachers we had. Then about all the naughty things we did and never got caught for. :) About the time 4 of us got suspended together... The more I remembered the more I realized I was kinda naughty as a child...just a little.

The longer we sat, the more memories came sweeping over me. So many good times together, and also some not so good times together in the principal's office. As I sat at the table I couldn't help but look around the table at each of every one of the girls that I went to school with. Now we are young adults. As we sat at the table I once again felt like an 8 year old girls giggling with her best friends.

Then our discussion changed. We had all shared great times together, but now what were we doing with our lives. We each went around the table telling each other what we are now doing or planning on doing in our lives. We are all in college training to be elementary or high school teachers, nurses, secretaries, coaches, etc...

After a great time together, we said our goodbyes. And promised to keep in touch. As we got into our vehicles, I thought...what a lucky girl I am. I have amazing friends. Friends that I went to kindergarten with , friends that I plan on knowing for the rest of my life.

Our second date

My little girl will be beginning kindergarten in about a month. We have been having little play dates together before we both go back to school. So today Sarah and I and had our second date together.

We started off baking Chocolate chip cookies. Well....I baked, she licked the beaters, licked the bowl, and made a mess!!!

Then, she ate the cookies

We then headed to the park

Then we went for ice cream, where I believe she got more ice cream on her face then in her mouth.